Solar Panel Installation

Solar power systems will turn sunlight into electricity. The silicon wafers will seize photons from the sun and turn this into DC power. This power is then changed in 120 volt AC power and connected and along the present electrical scheme in the house or business office. This can also be connected to the localized electric control grid. As the sun is shinning, you may be able to acquire more electricity then you will consume. Your meter can actually spin backwards. During the night with no sunlight, your house will be utilizing from the utility company. Sort Of like using the utility company as a giant storehouse for your overproduction of electric power. This electricity can then be utilized right away, stashed away in batteries or fed into an electric utility grid system.

The commitment to clean power is a effective financial strategy. Solar electrical systems are quite expansive and present a good investments for the household or business proprietor. This electrical system can deliver affordable electricity and power for years, maybe decades to come. There are some generous incentives of aid off set the initial costs. A good range of local, state and federal bonuses such as grants, rebates, loans, direct equipment sales, leasing and tax credits will help to offset the prices.

WHY SOLAR?

Solar is the fastest growing energy source in the world, and for good reason. It offers a limitless supply of clean, safe, renewable energy for heat and power. And it’s more affordable, more efficient, and more reliable than ever.

The advantages of using Solar Energy and other renewable power sources are clear:

•greater independence from imported fossil fuels•a cleaner environment•diversity of power sources•relief from the volatility of energy prices•more jobs and greater domestic economic development.

All over the world, Solar Energy systems have reduced the need to build more carbon-spewing fossil-fueled power plants. They are critical weapons in the battle against global warming. As the cost of solar technologies has come do wn, solar is moving into the mainstream and growing worldwide at 40 to 50% annually. Keep in mind chances are very good that utility cost will continue to rise.

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

By now you probably have 1,000 questions. We will have more information available on this site soon. Meanwhile, feel free to contact us at 888-278-3616.

WASHINGTON INCENTIVESThe legislative session just ended in WA and renewables came out a big winner. We don't have the full rundown on all the new laws but the sales tax exemption and the performance incentive were both extended to 2020. And the maximum payout for the performance incentive was increased to $5000 per year (of course you'd have to install a 24kw system to get that at $.15/kwh). Unless of course you participate in a Community Project...

WASHINGTON COMMUNITY SOLAR PROJECTSThe legislature added a provision to the performance incentive that allows for community solar projects. The solar array would be hosted by a government entity: school, city hall, library, etc. But it would be owned by individuals, corporations or non profits. Each owner would be eligible to receive $.30/kwh produced by the system up to $5000 each. It gets complicated but basically individual owners should be able to capture a 7% Internal Rate of Return or better on their investment. Seraphim is putting together a workshop for any community group or municipality that might be interested in this option. Please Contact Us for more info.

Solar InformationInvesting in a PV system can be a rewarding and empowering decision. Our society has much to learn about the way we use and produce energy and having solar panels generate your own electricy from the sun is amazingly educational. It helps to highlight your consumption and find ways to use less. With a monitoring system for your PV array you can see how much power you use versus how much you produce on a daily basis. Your power bill is not a one way transaction anymore! It becomes a challenge to use less so that your PV is producing a larger portion of you overall consumption.

Net metering is the magic bullet that makes solar electric (PV) practical in the Northwest – it means that you save money for every kilowatt-hour that you produce with your system. Even with a moderate size system you will make energy at some times of year that your house does not immediately consume. The energy made during long, sunny summer days can be banked in the grid for use during the periods when your system goes to sleep (evenings, dark days of winter).

Solar Incentives for Washington State Residents

Federal Tax CreditA 30% tax credit on the total cost of your PV system is available in 2009 with no cap for homes and businesses.

Sales Tax Exemption

By state law, the sales tax (varies by county) is waved on the purchase of PV and solar hot water equipment and associated installation costs. This is for Washington state and is in effect until June 2009.

Net Metering:

Required under federal law and defined by WA state law. Net metering requires utilities to allow homeowners to hook solar, wind and micro hydro systems up to the grid. This results in “turning the meter backwards” when your system produces more electricity than you are immediately using. You draw from your energy credit when your PV system is not cannot meet your electrical demand (mainly winter) and at night.

Production Incentive Payments

A bill was passed by the Washington state legislature in 2005 that authorizes the state to pay $.15/kWh for every kWh of electricity a solar and/or wind system produces from July 1, 2005 to July 1, 2014. Go to the Northwest Solar Center for more information and an application (www.northwestsolarcenter.org).

The money comes from the state utility tax. If you buy an inverter manufactured in Washington state the $.15/kWh is boosted to $.18/kWh. If you buy panels made in Washington you earn $.36/kWh, and if both panels and inverter are made in Washington you earn $.54/kWh for every kWh that your system produces.

The hitch here is that there are currently no panels made in Washington. We are hearing very positive news about a “made in Washington” panels being on the market mid 2009.

Green Tags

Your system can earn an additional $.02/kWh by selling Green Tags. For specificsabout this program go to www.cascadesolar.com.

What can a PV system do for you? Basic Information about Benefits and CostsPhotovoltaic Systems

•Solar electric, or photovoltaic (PV), systems collect electricity from photovoltaic panels and send it to an inverter and into your house’s electric panel.•PV systems require little or no maintenance•For each 1,000 watts of PV you can get up to 1,000 kWh annually of household electricity per year in Western Washington. To see what this means, check your electric bills to see how many kWh of electricity you use each month. If you have an annual demand of 10,000 KWH (average household use) a well sited 5000 Watt array could produce half of your power.•Your electric meter spins backward when your home isn’t immediately using the energy generated by the PV system – the electricity is sent to the grid. You earn credit for power produced that your home does not use.•1000 watts (1kW) of PV takes up 65 to 100 square feet of space (depending on the size and manufacturer of the module). The weight of a system is approx. 3¼ lbs. per square foot – equivalent in weight to an additional layer of shingles.•PV systems costs, based on size and/or difficulty, range from around $7.00 to $10.00 per watt installed.

Residential Solar Systems

Hot Water

Pool Heating

Photovoltaic

Commercial Solar Systems

Photovoltaic

Hot Water

Pool Heating

Solar Engineering

Call Mike @ 888-278-3616 for your questions or for a free quote on your new solar system